Vera faces some personal issues as well as a murder mystery in "Vera: A Certain Samaritan," from season 2 of the excellent series.
Vera (Brenda Blethyn) is called in on the murder of a young man, Niall Coulter. Niall fell or was pushed off of a bridge, but landed on a truck that was traveling to Portsmouth.
Niall was still living with his mother Shirley (Phyllis Logan), and she claims that Niall was a good boy, living with her so that he could save money to move out. His girlfriend says that Niall was moving in with her. Shirley seems to hate her, so there's a conflict there. Vera is certain that Shirley isn't telling her everything.
Then Vera meets a terminally ill gay man who says that Niall was moving in with him and staying with him until he died. The man had made what appears to be a financial arrangement with Niall, leaving him his house.
When a drug dealer beats up Shirley, the plot really thickens. What unfolds is a ghastly story of addiction and murder.
In the midst of this, Vera meets her father's girlfriend Maggie for the first time and has to face a few demons herself.
Never an upbeat show, this episode was particularly poignant, thanks in part to Blethyn's performance and that of Sean Campion as the dying Guthrie. The wonderful Judy Parfitt plays Maggie, a small but lively role. Handsome David Leon is on hand as Vera's partner David, who encourages her to meet Maggie.
Blethyn gives this series a special gravitas with her characterization of sad woman, dedicated to her work, dealing with many ghosts.